Downtown received influential praise for its work at a high powered Westminster reception. The gathering heard how Manchester intended to build on its already strong economic model, but was being held back by a lack of ambition from the government in its approach to the EU and rail investment.
Jim reports that business is backing the Prime Minister in taking a cautious approach on the global tariff war that is breaking out. He also looks at the upcoming elections. With Labour and the Tories unpopular, where will the votes go?
Jim reports from the Convention of the North in Preston. He asks will we see its demand for investment win out at a time when the clamour grows for a massive increase in defence spending?
Jim worries that the Chancellor is relying on the south of England too much in her dash for growth.
Jim looks back on a year when democracy came under increasing threat, and Labour went from great electoral triumph to economic gloom.
Jim suggests the shine has come off Rachel Reeves who needs to see results following her tax increases. Jim also wonders if the Iranian regime could fall following the Syrian revolution.
Ed Miliband’s Ed Stone didn’t work well in 2015, Jim says it remains to be seen if Starmer’s milestones will work any better. He also comments on Lancashire devolution and the Assisted Dying Bill.
Jim sets out his case against assisted dying in this week’s blog. He also pays tribute to John Prescott’s vision for how the regions of England should have been governed.
With growth flat and inflation edging up, Jim calls for a clearer vision of the government’s business agenda to be spelt out.
In the week were over one thousand people gathered in Manchester to remember Sir Howard Bernstein, Jim reflects on his achievements at Manchester City Council and following a DIB event with Steve Rotheram looks at the future of Combined Authorities.
To millions of Americans, Trump’s behaviour was irrelevant. It was, as ever, the economy. Jim’s blog reflects on Trump’s success and the Biden/Harris mistakes.
Jim is sticking his neck out and predicting Kemi Badenoch and Donald
Trump will be the winners in a big week for politics coming up on both
sides of the Atlantic.
